Evo Stik Division One South
Shaw Lane AFC manager Craig Elliott
Craig Elliott is urging his title-chasing Shaw Lane AFC players to put recent poor performances behind them.
The Ducks are heading into their final seven games, after an up-and-down March which saw them lose twice – to Basford United and Belper Town.
Leaders Shaw Lane had respite from the League on Tuesday night as they beat Penistone Church in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup semi-final tie.
However, Elliott said their display summed recent ones.
“We let our standards slip in the second half and we let them back into the game,” he said.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but full respect to Penistone because they put a great effort in.
“From my point of view though, not good enough at all.
“Because we won, I felt bad going into the dressing room and lowering the atmosphere, but I’m not happy because it has been a difficult two or three weeks.
“Performances have not been up to scratch and they are fully aware of that.
“You can accept losing games because that’s part and parcel of a season, but it is more the performances and how we’re playing at the moment that concerns me.
“I’m not happy with the manner we have conceded certain goals and the way we have lost games.
“A few players are lacking a bit of confidence, but every team has a bad spell in a season and we’re having it now.
“Since day one we have had a great season, but we have had a tricky March. Hopefully April can be a fresh start and we can end the season with the results we need.”
The title race is two horse race between Shaw Lane and Witton. The Ducks are three points ahead with a better goals difference, but Witton could go level on points as they have a game-in-hand.
“I fully expected Witton to catch up with us, I know it is easy to say that, but I was,” Elliott said.
“I always felt it would come down to the game between us both (which is in the next few weeks). It was always going to be tight. They’re a good team, we’re a good team.
“It is still all to play for.”
Shaw Lane host Bedworth United tomorrow.